Geotechnical Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Geotechnical Engineer Job Description

This role provides engineering and consulting services across a wide range of projects and sectors, including public works, transportation, commercial, communications, energy, and industrial developments. The geotechnical engineer performs and often leads field investigations, engineering analyses, calculations, and recommendations, while contributing to the design and development of plans and specifications. The position includes observation and inspection activities, preparation and review of technical reports, and evaluation of laboratory and field data. The engineer ensures that drawings and construction activities comply with plans and specifications, supports project budgeting and progress tracking, and communicates complex engineering concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This is a career-level position for a fully competent engineering professional responsible for managing detailed phases of projects of moderate size and complexity.

Responsibilities

• Provide geotechnical engineering and consulting services for a broad array of projects and clients across multiple sectors, including public works, transportation, commercial, communications, energy, and industrial projects.
• Perform and lead geotechnical field investigations, including field sampling, geotechnical investigations, and observation of earthworks and construction activities.
• Conduct engineering analyses, calculations, and geotechnical evaluations to develop sound engineering recommendations for design and construction.
• Contribute to the design and development of plans and specifications for geotechnical and civil engineering aspects of projects, including pavements, earthworks, and foundations.
• Perform observation and inspection services to verify that construction and materials comply with approved plans, specifications, and applicable standards.
• Review engineering drawings, construction documents, and field work to assure compliance with project requirements and specifications.
• Write, prepare, and review routine and complex engineering reports that clearly document services provided, findings, analyses, and recommendations.
• Assign, review, and evaluate complex laboratory and field test data for inclusion in technical reports and design documents.
• Prepare proposals and cost estimates for small and large projects, including defining scope of services, estimating budgets, and establishing schedules.
• Track and evaluate project progress and budgets, identify variances, and recommend changes or corrective actions as needed.
• Research and resolve design and construction problems by applying sound geotechnical and civil engineering principles and judgment.
• Apply established engineering principles and standards to project work, and clearly communicate complex engineering issues and concepts to technical and non-technical clients and project teams.
• Provide and lead continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects, ensuring consistent quality standards in project and proposal delivery.
• Follow safety rules, guidelines, and standards on all projects, participate in pre-task planning, and promptly report any safety issues or concerns.
• Plan, schedule, conduct, and coordinate detailed phases of assigned project work, independently performing a variety of projects or segments of larger projects.
• Work closely with senior-level project managers to gain additional project management experience on more complex and larger projects.
• Make design, engineering, and construction recommendations, adaptations, and modifications based on project conditions and data.
• Prepare proposals and technical reports for projects of varying size and complexity, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and completeness.
• Perform quality control reviews of proposals and technical documents prepared by others to maintain high standards of accuracy and consistency.
• Serve as a technical adviser to junior-level project team members, providing guidance, mentoring, and oversight on engineering tasks.
• Interact directly with clients and project teams to develop scopes of services, communicate project progress, and present findings and recommendations.
• Participate in marketing, sales, and business development activities to support growth of geotechnical and related services.
• Supervise graduate, field, and project engineering staff, providing direction on technical tasks, field activities, and reporting.
• Work under the supervision of an authorized senior professional while progressing through a documented mentoring and application process toward professional authorization or certification.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Minimum 5–8 years of engineering experience, preferably in geotechnical or civil engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to perform and lead geotechnical field investigations, including field sampling and geotechnical investigations.
• Proficiency in conducting engineering analyses, calculations, and geotechnical evaluations to support design and construction recommendations.
• Experience in developing and reviewing plans and specifications for geotechnical and civil engineering projects.
• Ability to perform construction observation and inspection to verify compliance with plans, specifications, and standards.
• Strong skills in evaluating complex laboratory and field data and integrating results into engineering reports and design recommendations.
• Proven capability to write and prepare clear, concise, and technically sound engineering reports and proposals.
• Competence in reviewing drawings and construction activities for compliance with project requirements.
• Ability to plan, schedule, and coordinate detailed phases of project work independently.
• Experience providing quality control reviews of proposals and technical documents.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex engineering issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior, field, or project engineering staff.
• A valid driver’s license with an acceptable violation history, if required for project travel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering preferred.
• Background in geotechnical engineering, including geotechnical analysis and geotechnical investigations.
• Experience in civil engineering and civil construction, including earthworks and asphalt-related projects.
• Familiarity with inspection practices for geotechnical and civil construction activities.
• Experience working on projects in public works, transportation, commercial, communications, energy, and industrial sectors.
• Ability to participate in and support marketing, sales, and business development initiatives.
• Interest in and commitment to continuous quality improvement and adherence to established quality standards.
• Willingness to engage in a structured mentoring and certification or authorization process under senior professional supervision.

Work Environment

The role is primarily based in an office environment, where the geotechnical engineer prepares analyses, reports, proposals, and project documentation, and collaborates with project teams and clients. The position also involves coordination with field and laboratory personnel, including the review of field and laboratory data for inclusion in reports. Work may include periodic travel to project sites for field investigations, construction observation, and client meetings, following established safety rules, guidelines, and standards.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Blue Bell, PA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $90000.00/yr.

Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Blue Bell,PA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 19, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on us.fitly.work for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.